Fruit comes in many different forms, with two of the most popular being natural or fresh fruit and dried fruit. Each of these types of fruit provides intense flavor as well as the nutrients that you need to be healthy. Many people assume that fresh fruit is a better alternative, but, depending on what you eat and how much you eat, dried fruit may be a better option for you.
Taste
When comparing fresh fruit with dried fruit, the issue of taste is important. For most people, few things are better than biting into a fresh peach, apple or banana. The moisture in the fruit adds a lot to the overall taste experience, so many people prefer to eat fresh fruit.
Although dried fruit is not moist like fresh fruit, often the flavor is more vibrant, which for some people makes up for the lack of moisture. If you like intense fruit flavor and you don't mind the fruit being just a bit sweeter, you might find that dried fruit is more to your liking.
Nutritional Value
When shopping for fruit, you shouldn't assume that fresh fruit is better. The main difference in nutritional value between the two is that the dried fruit is often slightly lower in vitamin C. If you are buying fresh fruit only because you assume that it is better for you, you can now buy dried fruit if this is more convenient for you or if you just enjoy eating it more.
Shelf Life
Shelf life has to be considered when it comes to fruit. With fresh fruit, you have two to five days to eat it before it becomes overripe and starts to rot. If you eat fruit every day, consider buying fresh fruit.
If you don't always use the fresh fruit that you do have on hand, you might want to think about switching to dried fruit. Dried fruit is often good for up to a year or two, if sealed. Once you open it, as long as you reseal it, the fruit can be kept for several weeks at a time.
Additives
Fresh fruit is often best for those who try to avoid eating additives. Dried fruit may have more sodium than fresh fruit. Look at the additives in the dried fruit that is available to you, as additives differ from brand to brand. Some brands are simply dried fruit without additives, but others do include additives.
Cost
Before you assume fresh fruit is cheaper, you should consider how much fresh fruit you throw away. If you throw fruit away often, you may find that dried fruit is cheaper in the long run, because you don't waste it. If you throw away fruit, you are likely paying more for fresh than you would for dried.
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